Italian startup Ganiga Innovation is slated to present its AI-enabled robotic waste sorting systems and associated software solutions at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, held from October 27 to 30 in San Francisco. The company aims to address the low global plastic recycling rate, estimated by the OECD to be less than 10%, through advanced waste management technologies.
Ganiga's product portfolio includes "Hoooly," a fleet of robotic waste bins utilizing generative AI to distinguish between general waste and recyclables for automated sorting. Complementing this is a smart lid designed to integrate with existing waste bins, offering similar AI-driven sorting functionalities. Additionally, the company provides a software platform that enables businesses to monitor their waste output and receive data-informed recommendations for waste reduction, according to company statements.
Founded in 2021 by CEO Nicolas Zeoli, Ganiga initiated sales of its robotic bins in 2024. The company has since reported selling over 120 units to various clients, including technology firm Google and several European airports in locations such as Bologna, Venice, and Madrid. Zeoli stated that the company generated $500,000 in revenue in 2024 and has reached $750,000 in the first nine months of 2025. This commercial traction supports a market strategy Zeoli described to TechCrunch, stating, "Ganiga is the first startup in all the world to fill one airport with the smart bins. This is important because we don't target the prototype, we are a product, and we are open to the market."
The company has secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding from investors including clean tech venture capital firms NextSTEP and Next Energy Capital, and is currently seeking a $3 million seed round. In November, Ganiga plans to launch "Hooolyfood," a new software product that leverages camera imagery for precise food waste measurement. While currently focused on the European market, Ganiga plans to expand into the U.S., with Zeoli indicating a potential relocation of its headquarters stateside by 2026. The company also intends to develop further software solutions based on the data collected from its existing bins and platforms.
